Four friends stepped onto their own paths. But with one goal and promise. To meet at the same crossroads. That is to become strong and reliable.
[Tono's pov]
My hands are shaking. Even my legs have been numb for a while now. I didn't expect Instructor Adi to give me no time to breathe.
"Tono, get up! It's still morning, and training has just begun. And you're already tired?" Instructor Adi said while sitting on a rock placed on my back.
I couldn't say anything. Even moving my tongue was exhausting.
"If it weren't for the Sect Leader ordering me to train you. I wouldn't be willing to train a lazy student like you," continued Instructor Adi while gulping down a bottle of snake wine.
I didn't expect this. The news of our encounter with the White Tiger has caused an uproar throughout the sect. I had to postpone all my plans as well, because I needed to be trained personally by Instructor Adi.
They say anyone who survives an encounter with the White Tiger will bring good luck to the sect. I am happy about that. It's just that I had to listen to my father tell stories about his past, how proud he was, and he was moved for hours... it really almost made me faint.
"How many was it again?" Instructor Adi said.
Oh no. Luckily, I've prepared myself this past week. "593, Instructor!" I said with all my strength, afraid of having to start from zero again.
"You're lying! We were at 618! Start from zero!" Instructor Adi said that he goes crazy when drunk.
After a week of training, I haven't felt any changes within myself. My body is becoming increasingly tired, and the training intensity is increasing every day.
But I still can't forget that gaze. The oppressive gaze of the White Tiger. Even imagining it sends shivers down my spine and a cold that pierces my bones. At least, this is my biggest motivation for continuing to train. So that I can stand with my head held high in front of anyone.
At the same time, Putri was also training at the Sect Leader's training ground. But unlike Tono, the atmosphere at Putri's training ground was very peaceful.
[Putri's pov]
The shadow of that day's events continues to haunt me. How powerless I was in the face of a powerful enemy. It made me realise how high the mountain is and how small I am. Just a frog in a well.
Unconsciously, my grip tightened as I remembered the incident. My movements and rhythm were disrupted. I cannot lie about my feelings. I am afraid. I am angry. And I am disappointed in myself.
"Child, rest for a while, don't force your body. Even resting is part of training," the Sect Leader said gently and with affection.
"I'm fine, Father. I am having an enlightenment and cannot stop now," I said while gripping my sword tighter. The bandages on my hand, which had just been changed, were now red and occasionally dripping blood.
My father watched from the side, sitting in a beautiful and straightforward gazebo at the edge of the training ground. The look in his eyes showed he was both worried and happy at the same time.
I cannot stop. I don't want to be a burden again. I must...
Thud.
I almost fell. My father, who was initially sitting in the gazebo, was instantly by my side in the blink of an eye and caught me as I almost fell.
"You really are like your mother," the Sect Leader said with a small smile.
If Putri trained peacefully, then it's a different story for Bonar. His training place was dark and silent. Even speaking in one's heart echoes throughout the room.
[Bonar's pov]
Badump badump badump.
The sound of my heartbeat is out of my control. The quieter it gets, the more panicked I become.
Slash.
A throwing knife almost cut my neck. No clues, no map. I must truly get used to the darkness. If my foot makes even a slight sound, it might get cut off right then and there.
Training under Instructor Supeno is not physically exhausting, but my mental state and life are at stake.
But no matter how cruel and terrifying Instructor Supeno's training is, it cannot compare to what I experienced at Kidang Alas. The gaze from the top of the food chain pierced through my chest, causing my heartbeat to stop for a moment. That sensation reminded me that pain isn't only physical. Thoughts can kill you instantly.
Tap.
Dammit. I accidentally stepped on a fragile wooden tile. Instantly, I was showered with throwing knives from all directions.
Clank clank clank.
One by one, I parried the throwing knives. No choice. Only succeed or die.
Here, for the first time, I felt that money can't buy everything.
I am learning to hear the sound of the wind, developing body control, improving flexibility, and increasing speed.
Even when I was in danger, Instructor Supeno did not show his face at all.
Stab.
Dammit. My leg was hit by one of the throwing knives.
---
While his three friends trained exhaustively, Karman, whose training location was unknown, was trapped inside a void with chains attached to his hands.
[Karman's pov]
Very terrible....This training is not what I imagined. Voidman? I thought to myself, shocked. It turns out this intense training has brought me back to meet Voidman, whom I haven't seen in a long time.